Francis Duggan

Wang From Leongatha - Poem by Francis Duggan

He's known as Wang from Leongatha olive skinned and straight dark hairAnd he works as a casual farm worker working here and working thereHis type of man is on the decrease though as of yet not too rareAnd though he works hard for his living he doesn't seem the worst for wear.

He came to Australia from Cambodia in nineteen eighty fiveFrom a troubled Land in Asia where one struggle to surviveAnd he'll not be returning to Cambodia me quite happy here he say'Tis a better Land Australia and 'tis here me wish to stay.

He wakes early in the morning and before the sun is outHe's already on the highway driving down through Gippsland southTo Kooweerup to cut asparagus he must bend his back all dayOf all of the ways to earn a living there must be an easier way.

He works all around South Gippsland from Tarwin Lower to PakenhamAnd he lives in Leongatha the hard working Asian manAnd will he go back to Cambodia? if you ask him he will sayIn his broken Asian English 'In Australia me will stay'